Two new teachers' pets are set to be introduced to children at a special school.

A pair of unnamed pooches are in the process of being trained to act as therapy dogs at Five Acre Woods School in Maidstone.

The eight-week-old Labradoodle and 10-week-old Cavapoo pups are currently in the care of teachers Emma Athwal and Sarah Costain who are tasked with looking after them before they are named by pupils at the school.

During an inset day at the Boughton Lane school on Monday they were put through their paces and given time to adapt to their new surroundings.

Miss Athwal, assistant head of secondary, said: "The main driving force behind these dogs is our principal Peggy Murphy. They are known for their therapeutic benefits.

"They can work as assistant dogs and they will be absolutely perfect for therapy and wellbeing.

"The dogs are here today so they can get used to the school. When they are used to the pupils then the children can come and spend time with the dogs and pupils can take them for a walk around the school grounds or they can go out into the community with them."

It is hoped children with learning difficulties can benefit from the sense of wellbeing and happiness created by the presence of the young puppies. They are also expected to give the pupils confidence in times of crisis or anxiety.

Sarah Costain, assistant head of primary, said: "We have art therapy, counselling and hydrotherapy and these will be another form of therapy for the pupils.

"Our curriculum is different to the mainstream curriculum. We teach our older pupils how to look after themselves in the wider world which includes looking after pets."

The school is also looking to expand its animal therapy with a Five Acre Wood Stables through the newly dubbed Project Pony.

Kent County Councillor Paul Cooper has already promised £2,000 of funding to help finance the project which will look to have ponies play a similar role to the young dogs.

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